The other day, we told you how Verizon Chairman Lowell McAdam and KT chairman and CEO Chang-Gyu Hwang connected on the first “pre-commercial” 5G video chat during the Super Bowl. As carriers continue the testing process for 5G, today Big Red announced that along with Nokia and Qualcomm, it completed a 5G voice call. With this action, Verizon becomes the first carrier to make such a call using 3GPP-compliant 5G New Radio (NR) technology over licensed spectrum

The call was made over Verizon’s millimeter wave spectrum using Nokia’s 5G network technology. The device used was a 5G NR prototype that was contributed by Qualcomm. The test took place earlier this month at Nokia’s facility in Murray Hill, NJ. The 3GPP, or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, is comprised of organizations that develop global telecommunications standards.

“With this first 3GPP NR standards-based connection, Verizon continues to lead the development of 5G technology. By partnering with Nokia and Qualcomm to combine 5G technology with our deep millimeter wave spectrum, we’re well on the way to being the first to usher in the next era of wireless communications for customers.”-Ed Chan, senior vice president and chief technology architect, Corporate Network & Technology, Verizon